Friction draft gear



@do 9 I, w23.

L47,285 H. c.. PRIEBE l FRICTION DRAFTlCrEAR y Filed Jan. 29, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented @et il, i923.

S'frliE-ti mit li. ffl.

EERMAN C. PRIEBE, OF :BLUE ISLAND, LLINOIS.

FRICTION DRAFT GEAR.

Application lefl January 29,` 1921.

T all iff/wm it 77mg/ concern.'

Be it known that l, HERMAN C. Pinnen,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Blue island, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Friction Draft Gears, of which the followingr is a full, clear, concise, and enact description.

My invention relates to friction draft ,gears that employ coupler operated followers, friction producing` blocks, and spring mechanism for reversing the coupler effected movements of the followers and blocks. ln practicingr my invention l employ a single follower movable lf/y the coupler in either direction `in the line ofdraft, atleast one block friction ally engaging the follower aud moved thereby transversely of the line of draft, this block also engaging, preferably frictionally, a complementalpart of the `gear. There is also an added block frictionally engaged by the first and moved in the line of draft by the first block` and a spring; opposing the movement of the added block by the first and serving7 when free to act, to reverse the coupler effected movements of said blocks and follower.

ln the preferred embodiment of the inl vention there are Atwo blocks frictionally en ejaged by the follower and moved thereby toward each other transversely of the line of draft by the follower and away from each other by the spring, when free to act, through the soreadiucr action effected on the tvo blocks by the added block, the first two blocks not only both frictionally engaging` the follower but also the added block and the friction surface provided upon the coupler. The follower is desirably made hollow to constitute it a spring barrel to house the springs.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings y showing the preferred embodiment thereof and in which Fig. l is a view in pla-n with parts broken away and parts shown in section of enough of a friction draft gear to enable my invention to be understood; Fig'. 2 is sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a view of parts as they appear in CIK Fig. 2 but with the coupler under pushing.

strains; Fie: 4 is a. sectional view on line Ll-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of some of the component parts of the gear of my invention in separated relation.,

.made hollow or Serial No. 440,986.

Like parts are indicated by similar char-l acters of'reference throughout the different figures,

I have illustrated parts of two center or draft sills l and 2 that form structural parts of the underframe of a car. These center sills carry cheek plates 3 and llupon their inner faces. A carrier iron 5 is bolted to the bottom flanges of the center sills and underlies the space between the center sills for the purpose of supporting the coupler yoke 6 that is suitably connected with the coupler stem 7 as by means of a key 3. The coupler structure is further supported by causing,- the key to pass throughl and slide within slots 9 formed in the center sills and the forward cheek plates 3. The coupler yoke 6 embraces a follower 10 that is supported by the coupler yoke.v This follower is limited in its outward movement by the outer cheek plates 3 and in its inward movement by the cheek plates Ait. Alt. is desirably pocketed to form av spring1f barrel that houses a spring ll. rlhe upright opposing/sides of the hollow portion ofthe follower is formed with il-shaped openings or spaces 12 that taper outwardly. Two friction blocks 13 are sloped outwardl Y to afford surfaces that are in frictional eng'agement with the sloping' surfaces of the openings l2 in the follower. A. friction block let, triangular in cross section, is interposed between and frictionally engaged by the fric-tion blocks 13 and is pressed upon by the spring;` l1 toward the inner end l5 of the coupler yoke 6. This yoke end l5 has a friction surface 16 that is enclosed hy the yoke and is angular to the line of draft, this riction surface beingfrictio-nally engaged by the blocks 13 in the movement of these blocks tow rd and from each other transversely of the line of draft. When the coupler is subject to su'llicient pushing` strains the coupler butt engages the outer end of the follower' l0 and moves this follower inwardly, the follower then frictionally engagine and forcing the friction blocks 13 to move toward each other transversely of the line of draft. llVhen the friction blocks are thus moved toward each other they frictionally engage and move the friction block ll toward the outer end of the coupler and against the force of the spring ll that is interposed between this block and the outer end of the follower. In the movement of the blocks 13 toward each other these blocks rub upon the friction surface 16 of the coupler yoke and cause additional friction that serves, in conjunction with the friction elsewhere produced, to retard the effect of the coupler blows. When the coupler is subject to sufficient pulling strain the inner end of the yoke 6 presses outwardly upon the blocks 13 that in turn press upon the sloping surfaces of the openings 12 and the sloping surfaces of thel triangular block la whereby the blocks 13 are then also moved inwardly transversely of the line of draft and block 11i is again moved outwardly. Whenever the draft strains upon the coupler are sufficiently reduced the spring il. is effective to reverse the movements of the friction elements that were occasioned by the action of the coupler. I have thus devised a construction employing a single follower that is effective in moving the blocks 13 toward each other transversely of the line of draft whether the coupler be pulled upon or pushed upon with sufficient force.

l/Vhile I have herein shown and 'particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. but having thus described my invention l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following l. In afriction draft gear, the combination with a coupler yoke having a friction surface angular to the line of draft; of a single follower movable in the line of draft; a block structureV frictionally engaging tlie aforesaid friction surface and the follower and moved by the follower 'ransversely of the line of draft; a secondY block structure frictionally engaging the first `and moved in the line of draft by the first block strut-A ture; a spring opposing the movement of the second block structure by the first and serving, when free to act,vto reverse the gear effected movements of said block structures and follower; and draft sills having ,motion limiting formations with which the bloei: structure that frictionally engages the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

'2. In a friction draft gear, the combination with a coupler yoke having a friet-ion surface angular to the line of draft; of a single follower movable in the line of draft; two blocks frictionally engaging the afore` said fric-tion vsurface and the follower and moved by the follower transversely of t-he line of draft and toward each other an additiona-l block frictionally engaged by and between the aforesaid blocks and moved thereby in the line of draft by the first aforesaid blocks when the first aforesaid blocks are brought closer together; a vspring oppos draft sillsl having motion limiting formations with which the block structures that frictionally engage the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable. y

3. n a friction draft gear, the combina-` tion with a coupler yoke having a friction surface angular to the line ofdraft; of av single follower movable in the line of draft; a block structure frietionally engaging the aforesaid friction surface and the follower and moved by the follower transversely of the line of draft; a second block structure frictionaily engaging the first and moved in the line of draft by the first block strueture; a spring opposing the movement of the second block structure by the first and serving, when free to act, to reverse-the gear effected movements of said block structures and follower, the first aforesaid block structure having two places of engagement with the follower adjacent thefends of this block strlflcture and ran intermediate place of engagement with the second bloek'structure; and draft sills having motion limiting for mations with which the block structure that frictionally engages the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yolreis engagea-ble.

4. In a friction draft gear, the combina.`r

tion with a coupler yoke having a 'friction surface angular to the line of draft; of a single follower movable in the line of draft; two blocks frictionally engaging the aforesaid friction` surface and 'the follower and vmoved by the follower transversely ,of the line of draft and toward each other; an additional bloclr frictionally engaged by and between the aforesaid. blocks and moved thereby in the line of draft by the first aforesaid blocls when the first aforesaid blocks are brought closer together; a spring opposing the movement of said additional block by the first aforesaid blocks and serv` ing, when free to act, to reverse the gear effected movements of said blocks and follower, the first aforesaid blocks each having two places of engagement with the follower adjacent the ends of such bloelr and an intermediate place of enga-freinent with the additional block; and draf/t:j sills having motion limiting formations with which the block structures that frictionally engage the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

5. In a friction draftgear, the combination with a coupler yoke lia-ving a friction surface angular tothe line. of draft; .of a. single follower movable inthe line of draft; a block structure frictionally engaging the aforesaid friction surfaceV of the follower and moved bythe follower transversely 'of the 'fine of draft; `a second block structure yby the first block structure;

frictionally engaging the first and moved in the line of draft by the first block structure; a. spring opposing the movement of the second block structure by thD first and serving; when free to act7 reverse the gear effected movements of said block structures and follower, the first aforesaid block struc ture having` two places of engagement with the follower adjacent the ends of this block structure and an intermediate place of engagement; with the second block structure, said follower being hollow to constitute it a spring barrel in which said spring is dis posed; and draft sills having motion limit ing formations with which the block struc ture that frictionally engages the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

6. In a friction draft gear, the combination with a coupler yoke having a friction surface angular to the line of draft; of a single followerI movable in the line ofdraft two blocks frictionally `engaging the aforo` said friction surface and the follower and moved by the follower transversely of the line of draft and toward each other; an additional block frictionally engaged by and between the aforesaid blocks and moved thereby in the line of draft by the :first aforesaid blocks when the first aforesaid blocks are brought closer together; a spring opposing the movement of said additional block by the first aforesaid blocks and serving, when free to act, to reverse the gear effected movements of said blocks and follower, the first aforesaid blocks each having two places of engagement with the follower adjacent the ends of such block and an intermediate place of engagement with the additional block, said follower being' hollow to constitute it a spring barrel in which said spring is disposed; and draft sills having motion limiting formations with which the block structures that frictionally engage the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

7. ln a friction draft gear; the combina tion with a coupler yoke having a surface angular to the line of draft.; of a single follower movable in the line of' draft; a block structure engaging the aforesaid surface and the follower and moved by the follower transversely of the line of draft; a second block structure frictionally engaging the first and moved in the line of draft a spring oppos` ing the movement of the second block structrue by the first and serving, when free to act; to reverse the gear effected movements of said block structures and follower; and draft sills having motion limiting formations with which the block structure that frictionally engages the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

8. ln a friction draft gear; the combinaf face and tion with a coupler yoke having a surface angular to the line of draft; of a single follower movable in the line of draft; two blocks engaging the aforesaid surface and the follower and moved by the follower transversely of the line of draft and toward each other; an additional block frictionally engaged by and between the aforesaid blocks and moved thereby in the line of draft by the first aforesaid blocks when the first aforesaid blocks are brought closer together; a spring opposing the movement of said additional block by the hrst aforesaid blocks and serving, when free to act, to reverse the gear effected movements of said blocks and follower; and draft sills having motion limiting formations with which the block structures that frictionally engage the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

9. fn a friction draft gear; the combination with a coupler yoke having a surface angular to the line of draft; of a single follower movable inthe line of draft; a block structure engaging the aforesaid surthe follow-er and moved by Vthe follower transversely of the line 0f draft; a second block struct-ure frictionally engaging the first and moved in the line of draft by the first block structure a spring opposing the movement of the second block structure by the first and serving, when free to act7 to reverse the gear effected movements of said block structures and follower, the first aforesaid block structure having two places of engagement with the follower adjacent the ends of this block structure and an intermediate place of engagement with the second block structure; and draft sills having motion limiting formations with which the block structure that frictionally engages the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

l0. ln a friction draft gear, the combination with a coupler yoke having a surface angular to the line of draft; of a single follower movable in the line of draft; two blocks engaging the aforesaid surface and the follower and moved by the follower transversely of the line of draft and toward each other; an additional block frictionally engaged by and between the aforesaid blocks and moved thereby in the line of draft by the first aforesaid blocks when the first aforo said blocks are brought closer together; a spring opposing the movement of said additional block by the first aforesaid blocks and serving, when free to act; to reverse the gear eifected movements of said blocks and follower, the rst aforesaid blocks each having two places 0f engagement with the follower adjacent the ends of such block and an intermediate place of engagement with the additional block; and draft sills having motion limiting formations with which the llO block structures that frictionally engage the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

il. ln a friction draft gear, the combi nation with a coupler yoke having a surface angular to the line of draft; of a single follower movable in the line of draft; a block structure engaging the aforesaid surface of the follower and moved by the follower transversely ofthe line of draft; a second block structure-frictionally engaging the first and moved in the line of draft by the first block structure; a. spring opposing the movement ofthe second block structure by the first and serving', when free to act7 to reverse the gear effected movements of said block structures andfollower; the first aforesaid block structure having two places of engagement with the follower adjacent the ends of this block structure and an intermediate place of engagement with the second block structure said follower` being hollow to constitute it a spring barrel in which said spring is disposed; and draft sills having vmotion limiting formations with which the block structure that frictionally engages the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

12. In a friction draft gear; the combination with a coupler yoke having a surface angular to the line of Y draft; of a single follower movable in the line of draft; two blocks engaging the aforesaid surface and the follower and moved by the follower transversely of the line of draft and toward each other; an additional block frictionally engaged bv and between the aforesaid blocks and moved thereby in the line of draft by the first aforesaid blocks when the first aforesaid blocks are brought closer together; spring opposing the movement of said additionalblock by the first aforesaid blocks and serving7 when free to act to reverse the gear effected movements of said blocks and follower; the first aforesaid blocks each having two places of engagement with the follower adjacent the ends of such block and an intermediate place of engagement with the additional block, said follower being hollow to constitute it a spring barrel in which said spring is disposed; and draft sills having motion limiting formations with which the block structures that frictionally engage lthe aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

13. In a friction draft gear the combina-` tion with a coupler yoke having a surface angular to the line of draft; of motion resisting friction producing ieehanism including a friction'bloo'k structure engageable with the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke that is angular to the line of draft; and draft sills having motion limiting for mations with which the block structure that frictionally engages the aforesaid surface upon the coupler yoke is engageable.

ifi. In a friction draft gear, the 'combination with a coupler yoke; of friction producing mechanism operated by the coupler yoke and including a horizontal friction block structure; and draft sills between which said friction producing mechanism is disposed, the Vaforesaid horizontal fric- Y tion block structure extending substantially across the space between the draft sills, said draft sills having motion limiting forniations with which said horizontal friction block structure is engageable.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this twenty-fourth day of December A. D.; 1920.

HERMAN C. PRIEBE. 

